Executive committee members
I have practiced as a personal injury solicitor in NI since 1990 representing people who have been injured at work in areas such as education, nursing, retail, engineering and construction. During the last 10 years I have specialised in the asbestos related disease work and serious spinal and brain injury cases.
I am a member of the Belfast Solicitors Association and the Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers. I have been a partner in Thompsons NI since 1999 and have had responsibility for managing the firm since 2004. I am very aware of the specific challenges facing solicitors running personal injury cases in Northern Ireland.
My aim is to always to bring personal injury cases to a satisfactory conclusion as quickly as possible and to reassure my clients that I will do my absolute best for them in whatever circumstances they find themselves.
- attend the following meetings each year
- seven EC meetings which usually last a full day
- APIL’s annual general meeting and where necessary, other annual conferences
- EC meeting with SIG/regional group co-ordinators and secretaries (a full day)
(Members of the EC are asked to achieve a 75% attendance rate throughout the year)
- attend and actively support EC sub-committees and policy working groups, which meet at various times of the year
- act as an EC liaison with a specified APIL special interest group and attend meetings, whenever possible
- contribute to the preparation of APIL responses to consultation papers
- attend regional group meetings.
Shareholdings/directorships/partners or otherwise engaged in the management or control of claims management services, medical agencies and other organisations related to providing a service to the injured person, or in the field of personal injury.
Partner in Thompsons NI Solicitors
Consultancies related to providing a service to the injured person, or in the field of personal injury.
None
Political organisations/societies/pressure groups/charities/trade unions.
None
Please provide details below of all interests that you have which may conflict with your role. This will include whether you or your employer have, or may in the future, receive any financial payment or other benefit from the areas covered in the activities above. In addition, you should also indicate whether any spouse, partner, colleague or family member may benefit from your involvement.
None
How to become an EC member
APIL elections take place on an annually basis and members who are elected to APIL’s Executive Committee volunteer to work as Directors of the Board.
The board and an experienced staff team work on a range of issues affecting our sector. Board members attend four meetings a year with the option of face to face or virtual attendance. The meetings usually last around 5 hours and cover a range of issues including legal reform, finance, and campaigns. It is an opportunity to be at the forefront of what is happening in the personal injury sector.
Election process:
APIL members may stand for election for the following:
- Executive Committee (officers and additional officers)
- Special Interest Group Co-ordinators
- Regional Group Co-ordinators
Annual elections commence in early January for Officer and Additional Officer seats, notification of the election and the nomination process will be sent to members by e-mail.
An APIL member becomes a candidate as soon as they have completed the nomination pack and the nomination is supported by the proposer and seconder. The proposer and seconder will need to confirm their details online for the nomination to be valid. Candidates will be asked to complete four set questions in support of their candidature (APIL's chief executive shall have the power to edit or refuse to accept unlawful or factually incorrect details).
Each APIL member (fully paid up and eligible to vote) may nominate – one candidate and/or second one candidate, in each election. APIL’s secretary will not nominate or second candidates, but will remain eligible to vote.
The details of all candidates will be circulated together, by the APIL office, to either the full membership (for EC elections) or to the relevant membership sections (for SIG and Regional Group elections).
No additional written material, or electronic communications may be circulated and/or distributed by, and/or in support of, a candidate in any election.
Canvassing of any nature is not permitted. If additional material is found to be in circulation or, direct or indirect canvassing identified, APIL's Executive Committee reserves the right to withdraw the candidate from the elections.
* Members who are eligible to vote:
Legal Practitioner Members, Honorary Life Members or Academic Associates as defined in APIL's Articles of Association, article 30.1.1 and clause 4.5 of the APIL Membership Policy
View articles of association
The EC, my experience
Standing for the EC
My experience of sitting on the EC